Men’s Roller Derby Comes To San Diego

Above: A roller derby helmet from a San Diego AfterShocks practice at Skateworld in Linda Vista.

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San Diego is now home to a men's roller derby team. KPBS arts reporter Angela Carone says the San Diego Aftershocks are part of a growing trend in roller derby.

Roller derby may be currently known as a women’s sport, but the San Diego AfterShocks are trying to change that. San Diego’s first men's roller derby team joins a growing roster of 69 amateur men’s flat track teams around the US.

Brett Stang is the AfterShocks team captain. His derby name is B-Stang. “The guy’s game is a little bit faster. It’s a little bit stronger, a little more aggressive. Women are strong too, trust me, I’ve gotten laid out many times by the different ladies that play this sport.”

Thomas Griffin, aka Tomikaze!, is a 40-year-old lawyer by day. He’s confident men’s roller derby will one day be as popular as women’s, though there are limits to what he’ll do for the team. “Well, I’m not putting on fishnet stockings, I’ll tell you that. I think it’s going to catch on, it’s a fun sport.”

Sarah Lang is helping coach the AfterShocks. In the roller derby world, she’s known as Lady Diesel and the captain of a local women’s team, the San Diego Starlettes,

The AfterShocks play the Phoenix Rattlesnakes this Saturday at 6pm at Skateworld in Linda Vista.